Frequency of sensory neural hearing loss in major beta-thalassemias in southern Iran

The thalassemias are among the most common genetic disorders worldwide, occurring more frequently in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to determined frequency of sensory-neural hearing loss in major beta- thalassemias transfusion dependent patients in south of Iran. A cross sectional study on 308 cases of major beta-thalassemia patients referring to Thalassemia Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between 2006-2007 years. The diagnosis of beta- thalassemia major was based on clinical history, complete blood count and hemoglobine electrophoresis. Clinical data such as serum ferritin level, deferoxamine [DFO] dose, mean daily doses of DFO [mg/kg] and audiometric variables was recorded. Out of 308 cases, 283 [96.5%] had normal hearing and 10 [3.5%] sensorineural hearing loss. There was no statically significant difference between two groups regarding mean age, weight, age at the first blood transfusion, age at the first DFO infusion. We found the lowest incidence of sensorineural hearing loss in a large population of patients suffered from major thalassemia who received DFO. We show that DFO is not ototoxic at a low dose. When considering all related literature, as a whole there has been much critical misrepresentation about DFO ototoxicity

IgM, IgG, IgA serum levels and lymphocytes count before and after adenotonsillectomy

Tonsils and adenoids are involved in both local immunity and immune surveillance for the development of immune defense mechanisms. A number of investigators have found decreased immunoglobulin levels after adenotonsillectomy while others have failed to find significant changes. The effects of adenotonsillectomy on the cellular immunity of children have not been investigated extensively. To observe the change in humeral and cellular immune systems before and after operation in patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. The study comprised 102 patients; all of the patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. The levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured for humoral immunity and the percent of CD7 and CD19 positive cells were determined in blood samples taken from these patients 24 hours before operation and also 2 and 8 weeks after the operation. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. The present study shows that the serum level of IgA would rise few weeks after the operation. Changes in the IgM and IgG level were not statistically significant postoperatively. In addition, no significant change was detected in B lymphocyte count before and after adenotonsillectomy. In our study, there was a slight decrease in the T lymphocyte count in the early stage of post operation, which returned to normal preoperative value after 8 weeks. Several immune system parameters maintain its normal status several weeks after adenotonsillectomy